The action came after the company persistently failed to comply with demand notices served on it.

The Reverend John Yaw Boabeng, Chief Revenue Officer in charge of the Recovery, Debt Management and Enforcement Unit, said the company had 10 working days to make a satisfactory payment arrangement with the GRA and anything short of that would result in legal action to recover the amount owed.

The tax liability represents value added tax (VAT), company income and withholding taxes for the period of 2013 to 2016.

The Rev Boabeng said enough time was given to the defaulting company to settle the amount but it would not take advantage of that.

“The audit has long been completed; the taxpayer has been given the opportunity severally to pay.

We served him a notice of tax liability, another notice and then final demand notice and he would still not respond.”

The GRA, therefore, had no option but to close the offices.

He reminded tax defaulters that the more they delayed in making the payment, the higher the penalty.

“Of all the taxes computed – company income tax, VAT, and the withholding taxes, once there is a delay in payment, there will be interest and penalty”.

He noted that Africa Central Cargo had not shown the commitment to settling its liability.

He called on those who had defaulted in their tax payments to take steps to arrange to settle their tax liabilities or be prepared to face appropriate sanctions.

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Source: GNA

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March 1, 2018 looks set to be a date importers will wish never came. On that day, two new tax policies will be out doored- the excise tax stamp and the Harmonised ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). Importers have asked for leniency. But a third levy for fumigating containers and their contents is in the works.

This is a tough balancing act for the country’s finance minister, whose basket of promised social goods need sufficient cash, but at the same time he needs to ensure the private sector is not unnecessarily overburdened to achieve the political goals.

It does seem until the local business environment is deliberately induced to boost domestic enterprise and manufacturing that can compete with basic goods and services we import, there would only be the option to tax the joy out of import business. That is assuming all the taxes so imposed go into the government’s vaults. Recent records of a 34.5% year–on-year increase in port revenues could actually be double had the processes accompanying the paperless system been fully deployed by port officials.

Im anycase, the fortunes of the importer may actually be dwindling with yet another Fumigation tax. The cargo fumigation levy had been contemplated under the previous administration which did not see the light of day because of a change in government. Now though it has been given full support by the current administration- The fumigation of cargo is to be undertaken by a Turkish company- The Turkish company is the service provider with the Shippers Authority as client and the Ghana Health Service as health regulator.

All stakeholders in the import business, especially freight forwarders have been served notices to register online by March 1, 2018 in order to pay $5 per each passenger car imported and disinfected. All other vehicles will pay $10 each. It is envisaged that all containers for imports and exports will be subjected to similar unspecified fees and could be higher. These charges DO NOT include VAT or any other tariffs government may impose.

There is nothing essentially wrong with disinfecting cargo as disease agents can be transported to hitherto safer environments. However, it is important to ask the critical question of how unique this service is that it merited a sole-sourced procurement process which imposes very unfair terms on government’s agencies and by extension on importers. The fees seem to have been solely determined by the service provider.

Article 4.9 of the agreement states ‘’ The Ghana Shipper Authority shall ensure that the SERVICE PROVIDER is placed on the existing mandatory electronic platform for the collection of fees and charges that have been determined by the SERVICE PROVIDER to ensure that all imports and exports subject to the GRA Customs regime pay the fees stipulated in this Agreement’’.

The contract says that the service provider of the fumigation services shall conduct business at our existing ports, and any other ports we will build in the future for the next 25 years with an option for a 10 year extension. The demand for extension is skewed in favour of the service provider even as we are yet to determine its capacity.

Sadly, the parties to this contract ‘’acknowledge that the service provider shall NOT be liable for any outbreak of foreseen or unforeseen epidemic, diseases, etc’’ Rreference article 3.7 of the agreement). Surprisingly, the agreement states that ‘’ the service provider has the right to assign, transfer all or in part of any of its rights arising out of this agreement’’.

For a country that purports to be interested in ensuring skills transfer and some amount of local content, it is sad that a service that is not unique to be provided by an external company under these worrying circumstances certainly is a call to death of budding and experienced local enterprises.

There is more, but suffice to say that when this project was contemplated under the previous government, the Attorney-General then, Mrs., Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong cautioned the then Ministry of Health in her legal opinion about the excesses related to parliamentary approvals, fees and charges , responsibility for externalities such as disease outbreaks and crucially the duration of the contract.

Mrs. Brew Appiah-Opong offered economically sound advice on how to proceed with the agreement to ensure Ghana’s public private partnership and local content mantra was given a befitting facelift with this project. I agree with her legal opinion. I am not sure her opinion was factored into the June 23, 2017 agreement under the new government. I am not sure the current Attorney-General, Ms. Gloria Akuffo has seen this agreement. If she hasn’t she should. Officials of IMANI are still demanding answers from those who signed this contract.

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Source: IMANI Ghana

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Interplast Ghana Limited donated GH¢30,000.00, the GRC presented GH¢25,000.00, while the GRA gave out GH¢20,000.00 in support of the celebration, which seeks to honour farmers and fisher folks.

Presenting the sponsorship package on behalf of Interplast Ghana Limited, Haidar Malhas, the Irrigation Services Manager of Interplast, said Ghanaian farmers continue to play active roles in the economy of Ghana, and that his company is willing to bring farmers to acceptable professional levels.

He said, “We believe farmers deserve the support, and we believe that Interplast can assist the Government in their planning.”

Presenting the sponsorship on behalf of the GRC, Mrs. Mary Ohene-Adu, said her company found it significant to sponsor the celebration “as a way of supporting government to recognize and reward our gallant farmers.”

On behalf of the Commissioner-General of GRA, Madam Sophia Godwyll and Madam Antionette Tettevi at the Communication and Public Affairs Department presented the cheque saying it was to show appreciation to farmers.

Madam Sophia Godwyll said farmers have helped the development of the country with their productivity in the agricultural sector.

Dr Gyiele Nurah, the Minister of state in charge of Agriculture and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Farmers Day, expressed gratitude to the three corporate bodies for their donation.

He said: “I stand on behalf of the Government of Ghana, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and on behalf our gallant farmers to thank all three companies who have kick-started the donations to be able to achieve our goal.”

He called on more companies to emulate the good examples of these three companies so that this year’s celebration will honour our farmers in grand style.

The 33rd National Farmer’s Day was launched on August 16 with the announcement of the sponsorship packages for corporate institutions to support the celebrations.

The sponsorship package starts with the bronze sponsor, which starts with GH¢10,000.00 and below and such sponsors would get acknowledgments in the media, a special certificate of sponsorship at the Sponsors’ Awards Night as well as a photo opportunity for presentation of packages to the Minister for Food and Agriculture and for the media.

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Source: GNA

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Mrs. Modey observed an incessant smuggling of goods and humans as well as tax evasion along the country’s frontiers which she said deprived the economy of the needed revenue and threatens the socio-economic livelihood of the citizenry.

She said such organized crimes could be quelled if citizens collaborate with efforts of the security agencies by blowing the cover off the perpetrators.

Speaking at the launch of a tax education campaign in Aflao over the weekend, Mrs. Kafui Modey stated that country loses lots of revenue through such illegal activities hence the need for a joint effort of the security agencies and the public to fight the menace.

The program which is aimed at sensitizing the public on the need to pay taxes to the government to stimulate development was on the theme, “Mobilizing Revenue for development, Ensuring Public Safety and Security- A civic Responsibility”.

“Every district will have its share and the developmental project will go on because the common fund is taken from the revenue we collected, so it’s important for all to pay their tax” she stated.

The Municipal Chief Executive for the Ketu South, Mr. Edem Elliot Amenorwu added,  that government can only build new schools, improve roads and subsidize utilities if citizens fulfilled their responsibilities by paying Taxes.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Board is chaired by Mr. Harry Owusu with the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Deputy Trade Minister, Carlos Ahenkorah and the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mr. Millison Narh as members.

Other members of the Board are; Ernest Akore, Col. Kojo Damoah, Adelaide Ahwireng, Juliana Addo-Yobo and Major Ablorh-Quarcoo.

Deputy Finance Minister, Kwaku Kwarteng who inaugurated the Board on behalf of Mr. Ken Ofori Atta charged the Board to work to increase revenue collection.

In his view, this would culminate in bridging the widening fiscal gap and foster economic growth.

According to Mr. Kwarteng, some key initiatives to be embarked upon to achieve revenue collection targets include; tax administration reforms, improve transfer pricing audits, commence the full implementation of the excise tax stamp Act 2013 (Act 873) as well as conduct post clearance audit.

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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The companies in question are MBG Limited and Holman Brothers, with one expected to pay some GHc 800, 000 monthly, and the other, GHc 192, 000 a month.

[contextly_sidebar id=”B2NPknDJmWj9rLnpp8GCGP1D5llKitZ1″]But in an interview with TV3, the Head of GRA’s Communications and Public Relations, Assistant Commissioner Robert Mensah, disclosed that, “the banks to which the cheques were issued [from MBG Limited and Holman Brothers], indicated that those accounts had been blocked.”

“For the first two months, we were expecting payment of up to about GHc 2 million, but we realized that they have reneged on the contract we have signed with them.”

Mr. Mensah further hinted of possible prosecution saying, “within the next two weeks, they should now pay all the debt. The law gives us the mandate to not only take the duty, but also to prosecute.”

Ibrahim Mahama owed over GHc 24 million

This indication from the GRA gives some meaning to comments by the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, who said Mr. Mahama owed about GHc 2 million and not the about-GHc 12 million being demanded.

Mr. George also said Mr. Mahama was owed over GHc 24 million by the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways for work done on roads in northern Ghana.

The Ningo Prampram MP explained that, the amount was for duties on equipment brought into the country to execute road projects.

The arrangement in place was to see the duties deducted from the payment made for the road projects for which the equipment  were brought in.

Witch-hunt against Ibrahim Mahama

Meanwhile, the National Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams, has condemned the Economic and Organised Crimes Office’s (EOCO) handling of the case alleging a witch hunt.

Mr. Adams said persons like Ibrahim Mahama, who have contributed to bettering Ghana, must not be put through, what he descibed as, intimidating and humiliating situations.

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By: Sixtus Dong Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He said among government’s goals in the 2017 Budget Statement was to build the most business-friendly and people-centred economy in Africa, which would translate into job creation and prosperity for Ghanaians.

He observed that poor record keeping, non- submission of tax returns by some registered taxpayers, failure to present valid invoices or receipts, double and multiple financial statements were some irregularities that were likely to affect revenue mobilisation.

Mr Ali- Nakyea made this call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra during a tax seminar on the 2017 National Budget Statement.

The tax seminar is an annual event organised by the Pentecost University College Graduate School (PUCGS).

The main theme for the seminar was: “The 2017 National Budget Statement in Perspective: Does it answer the Economic Development Goals of Ghana?”

As a way of contributing its quota to national development, in May 2014, PUCGS set up a Standing Committee to review tax, economic and good governance issues in Ghana on yearly basis particularly when the national budget statements are presented.

The Committee was also tasked to organise seminars to enable practitioners share their professional views with students and the public.

Mr Ali-Nakyea said Ghana’s budget from 2012 till now indicated that the country was losing revenue through tax exemption, and it had grown from 1.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) up to 1.92 per cent of GDP.

He said comparing the percentage of GDP of 1.2 per cent, 1.4 per cent and 1.7 per cent, the nation had for infrastructural development, which implied that Ghana was even losing more on what was needed for infrastructure.

He called for the blocking of all these leakages, in order to have enough money to undertake projects without borrowing.

Mr Ali-Nakyea said on the other hand, it would be unlawful for government to issue a directive in a newspaper publication, indicating that any person who had an exemption or not had to pay duties and apply for a refund.

He said if government wanted to abolish the system that existed then there should be a law to back the directives.

He said: “Certain businesses may have contracts with government or its agencies, contracts that have been approved by Parliament and under Article 174 of the (1992) Constitution.”

In his welcome address, Professor Kwame Boasiako Omane-Antwi, Vice Rector and Dean of the PUCGS, said programme implementation had always been the bane of Ghana’s development challenge.

He said as a country we needed more efficient institutions and attitudes that were conducive to an increase in productivity and to development in general.

“For instance, institutions that allow for mobility, initiative, entrepreneurship, effective competition and equal opportunities; attitudes like efficiency, diligence, punctuality, honesty, openness to change, solidarity and future-oriented; sadly, we lack leadership,” he said.

Prof Omane Antwi noted that in the budget government recognised agriculture as the main anchor of the country’s economic transformation, which he believed, held the key to national socio- economic development agenda.

He described the 2017 National Budget Statement, as a budget that carried lots of good news; “as it is moving Ghana beyond aid and as well shifting focus of economic management from taxation to production”.

Mr Isaac Nyame, Managing Consultant, IKERN & Associates, also observed that the reduction in taxes would surely create a friendly business environment and attract foreign direct investments.

“However, this is likely to adversely affect the short term revenue expectations of the Government,” he stated.

He said on the other hand, this would empower the private sector and result in the overall wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian through job creation and economic growth, in the long term.

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Source: GNA

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At an award ceremony in Accra to honour staff and stakeholders, the Authority said Newmont was second under the Large Taxpayer Office, Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) and lauded the company for its “tremendous” contribution to national development over the years.

“Your total contribution to total domestic tax Revenue in Ghana was very impressive across all tax types in the face of the economic hardship. In fact your compliance level in 2016 year of assessment was overwhelming. You were always on time in terms of payment of taxes and filing of returns,” says the Ghana Revenue Authority in a citation presented to Newmont Ghana Gold Limited.

In 2016, Newmont Ghana paid about $90 million in taxes and royalties to the Government of Ghana through the GRA.

The payments were made up of $13 million in Withholding Tax, $18 million in Pay As You Earn, $24 million in Corporate Income Tax, $31 million in Mineral Royalty and $4 million in Forestry Levy.

“We recognize our role as partners in Ghana’s socio-economic development and it’s always a great pleasure to contribute our quota in that regard. We have collaborated over the years with our communities and other stakeholders to pursue this purpose and it’s great to know that our collective efforts are helping to increase the overall revenue of the country.” said Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Chief Financial Officer of Newmont Africa said in an interview.

Since 2004, Newmont Ghana has invested more than $2.9 billion in the country, including over $970 million paid to the Government in taxes, royalties and other levies. Apart from these financial contributions, the company also supports the nation’s socio-economic development through employment opportunities and other social investments.

Results of a recent socio-economic study show that for every job created by Newmont in Ghana, there is a multiplier effect of an additional 21 jobs created in supporting industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing. The company employs almost 2,000 full-time workers and about 2,000 business partners.

“There is still opportunity to do more. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government and other partners to promote the country’s sustainable development and create long-term value for all our stakeholders,” Mr. Addo-Kufuor said.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the GRA, the forum is aimed at optimizing revenue mobilization in the country through voluntary compliance.

The forum brought together all tax payers in nine districts along the eastern corridor in the Northern region in Bimbilla in the Nanumba North District.

The Authority believes more Ghanaians will subsequently file their returns and pay their taxes on time so as to reduce its cost of revenue collection.

Mr. Stephen Adomah, the Office Manager for the Yendi STO of GRA, explained that, “we have an income tax law, Act 896 and most of tax payers are not aware of the provisions in the Act and therefore, we are also taking this as an opportunity to educate them on the new Act, so that they will be aware of how and when they are suppose to pay taxes in the new provisions.

He added that “[in] the law, we have several tax laws but this one has consolidated all the tax laws into one and it is tax payer friendly. They can easily be read and understood’.’

He therefore urged tax payers to try as much as possible to comply and voluntarily pay their taxes on time.

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By: Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Freedom From Torture said medical reports of 34 women showed many of them had been brutally gang-raped.

The women – who included traders and professionals aged between 18 and 62 – are seeking asylum in the UK.

DR Congo spokesman Lambert Mende said he would respond to the charity’s claims if it gave more details.

In its report, Freedom From Torture said one woman was arrested and raped after organising a protest against rape.

It said another women had “documented 68 scars attributable to torture. Fifty-six of these scars were attributable to a specific instance of gang-rape”.

The group’s Dr Juliet Cohen told the BBC: “There are some striking consistencies in the experiences of sexual violence and torture of the women in this report which strongly suggests that this horrific abuse is being routinely carried out in prisons in the DRC.”

‘Not human beings’

DR Congo is often dubbed the “rape capital of the world”, with rights groups saying that rape and sexual violence has become a weapon of war since conflict broke out in the early 1990s.

In May, two soldiers were convicted of rape by a military court in eastern DR Congo, where numerous armed groups still operate.

Thirteen other officers were cleared of the charge.

Freedom from Torture said women were raped by security force members to stop “women speaking out about politics, human rights and, in some cases, rape itself”.

One woman, named as Faith in the report, said security force members raided her home in early 2013 after she organised an anti-rape protest in the western province of Bas Congo, some 2,000km (1,100 miles) from the conflict zones.

“One of them said: ‘You are talking about rape, now we’ll show you what rape means’. They raped my niece in front of us. Then they took me to prison,” she is quoted as saying in the report.

“Now I know, because I have been there, that it is normal for women to be sexually abused in prison… The soldiers and the prison guards, they don’t see women as human beings, they don’t see any value in women. I can’t even remember how many times I was raped,” she added.

Since her arrival in the UK, Faith has been admitted to hospital, Freedom From Torture said.

“She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and she no longer likes being around other people,” it added.

Source: BBC

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